A mum-of-two has been ordered to pay £650 for wrongly accepting a council home.

It is believed to be the first time a council in Kent has successfully prosecuted a resident for tenancy fraud, using the Fraud Act 2006.

Nicola Bavin, of Ingram Close, Larkfield, appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates last Thursday, and admitted tenancy fraud.

She failed to notify Tonbridge and Malling council that her circumstances had changed while on the waiting list.

She was given a Russett Homes property in May 2011 because she claimed she and her two children were living with her mother, step-father and brother – which was assessed as overcrowded circumstances.

However, she had signed a private tenancy in October 2010, using her maiden name, and was not living in a overcrowded home.

Mrs Bavin, a care home manager, was caught out in January this year and surrendered her tenancy with Russett Homes in June.

Sevenoaks Magistrates fined her £450 and ordered her to pay £200 in costs.